Railroad-velocipede and driving mechanism



2 Shee'tsSheet 1 (No Model.) 7 V G. E. HEATON. RAILROAD VELOGIPEDE AND DRIVINGMEOHANISM. No. 601,439. Patented Mar. 29,1898.

VVitnesses.

Attorney.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

' G. E. HEATON.

RAILROAD VELOGIPEDB AND'DRIVING MECHANISM.

Patented Mar. 29, 1898.

InQentor.

Attorney.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE ELMER HEATON, OF THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN.

RAlLROAD-VELOCIPEDE AND DRIVING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 601 ,439, dated March 29, 1898.

Application filed February 8, 1897. Serial No. 622 ,388. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE ELMER HEA- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Three Rivers, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Velocipedes and Driving Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in railroad-velocipedes and in propelling devices therefor.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a construction of railroad-velocipede simple in construction; second, to provide a railroad-velocipede that can be run at a high rate of speed with small effort; third, to provide a railroad-velocipede of very light weight which is capable of practical use; fourth, to provide a simple and improved propelling device specially adapted for use on railroadvelocipedes; fifth, to provide a construction of railroad-'velocipedes which permits a great variation of movement on the part of the operator in propelling the same. Further objects appear definitely in the detailed description. I accomplish these objects of my invention by the mechanism described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the main portion of the machine, the arm H being shown in cross-section. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same, the arm being shown in dotted lines in the folded position to indicate the manner. of folding the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the frame of the machine. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line at 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view showing the ratchet-pawl-propelling mechanism, taken in section on line 5 5 of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, being a plan of the ratchet-pawl and its mechanism shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on a line corresponding to line 5 5 of Fig. 6, showing a modified construction of a pawl for engaging the chain between the links.

In the drawings similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A A are the main wheels, which are adapted to travel upon one rail of the railroad-track. These wheels serve to carry the frame and are also the driving-Wheels, and on account of. their double function I call them carrying and driving wheels. These Wheels carry the frame of the machine, which consists of a hollow tube B, having cross-arms O, which are bent down over each side of the wheels. These arms 0 are connected to plates D at the corners of the frame which receive the axles of the wheels A. Suitable adjustment of the axle is afforded in the slots at the center of the plates. The plates are connected together at each side, so that the frame is strengthened by the tubes 0 G. In the front end of the top tube 13 is the tube B, which carries the cross piece or arm B, to the ends of which the operating-levers F F are pivoted independently at each side. The tube B is adjustable in the top tube B and is locked adjustably in its position by the pin e, inserted through holes in both of them.

On the axle of each wheel A, to each side V of the same, is a small sprocket-wheel or pinion A, referred to in the claims as actuatingwheels. Connecting these pinions together on each side are sprocket-chains E, which are preferably formed with ratchet-teeth 011 the outside thereof.

Surrounding each chain is a section of tube I, carrying a pawl 0, held in engagement with the ratchet-teeth d d by the spring 1'. Connected to each of these tubular sections are arms E, which extend forward and are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the opcrating-levers F F. Foot-rests a a are secured to the bottom of each lever F F and handrests a a at or near the top.

Secured to the top of the frame is the usual seat G, with a tool-box or other receptacle or.

possibly a secondary seat G to the rear.

Extending from the forward part of the main frame of the machine, pivotally con nected thereto, is an arm H, carrying a guide Wheel J, adapted to fit upon the opposite rail of the track. The axle of this wheel is telescoped to the arm I-I, so that it can be pushed together or drawn out, as required. The

brace H is detachably connected to the arm II and pivoted. to the rear of the frame tohold the arm II in operative connection. When it is desired to transport the machine, the arm H is disconnected from the arm H and both are folded along the side of the main machine, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2', and secured thereto by suitable means. 7

I show no brake on my velocipede, for my invention does not relate thereto, but any suitable brake can be applied.

Having thus described in detail all of the parts of my improved railroad-velocipede, I will now briefly state its operation.

The operator takes his position on the seat G and places a foot on each rest a a and adjusts the tube B, so that the handles a d at the top of the levers F are in convenient reach. Then the levers are moved either alternately or together and for any distance required and act upon the chain through the pawl c at each side. By moving the levers a full stroke the driving-wheels will berevolved several times, propelling the vel ocipede very rapidly, and by shortening the stroke short impulses only aregiven. Thusit is clear that any length of stroke drives the machine, and levers Fcan be operated alternately and they can be operated by the hands alone or they feetalone, permitting such avariety of movements to the operator that the work is not fatiguing. By alternating the movements of the levers continuous power is-applied, which assists greatly in climbing grades.

Having thus described my improved rail road-velocipede, I desire to state that I am aware that it is capable of great variations: in the detailswithout departing from my invention..

The parts of the frame need not necessarily be tubular. That is the preferred construction. The fulcrum of the lever need notnecessarily be adjustable, though it is very convenient and possesses: great merit- In Fig.7 I show a modification of the pawl G, which is adapted to engage between the links of the chain. I am aware thatthe same device might be constructed to take hold of any kind of driving chain or belt and do not wish to be confined in my claims. to the parpelling velociped'es or bicycles and, in fact, that it is adapted to use in a great variety of machines so far as the propelling mechanism is concerned. This propelling means is adaptable to: almost any kind of foot-power machinery-such as lathes,scroll1-saws, jig

saws, polishers, and for similar purposes. I

desireto state in this-connection that by a lit tle adaptation of the construction a belt. and i friction-pulley might be. utilized in place of the'sprocket-chain and sprocket-gears,.though the sprocketegears are much preferred" by me.

It will be observed that, broadly considered,

a sprocketchain and belt are mechanical equivalents. I am also aware thatit is. adaptable for use upon hand-bellowsin fact,wherever any similar power may be utilized.

Having thus described my invention, what- I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a railroad-velocipede the combination 1 of a suitable frame made up of top tube B, and cross-pieces G, O, and side pieces 0, C, secured together at each corner by the plates 3 D, D, D, D driving-wheels A, with suitable sprocket-pinions to each side thereof carried between the plates D, at each end; the i sprocket-chains E, on each side of the wheels connecting the pinions A, together; a bar B, telescoping onto the top bar B, at the topof the frame carrying a cross-piece 13 propelling-levers F, F, with the handles a", a, at

the top pivoted on each side of the cross-piece B;- sections of tube I, on each driving-chain with paw-ls c thereon having springs r, for retaini-ngthem in position; connectionsE,E, connecting the levers F, F, and the tubes I, together at each side of the machine for propelling the same and a suitable arm with the guide-wheel for the opposite rail of the track asv specified.

2. In a railroad-velociped'e the combination of a suitable frame; carrying and driving wheels to the front and rear thereof adapted to ride on one rail of the track; sprocketwheels on the axles of said carrying-wheels to each side thereof; sprocket-chains coupling the wheels on each side a ratchetmeans suitably guided on each of said chairs; a lever on each sideof said frame; connectionsfrom. each lever tothe ratchets; hand and foot rests on the levers as specified, and an arm with a guide-wheel thereon for the opposite rail of the track as specified for the purpose specified.

3. In a railroad-velocipede the combination of a suitable frame; carrying and driving wheels to the front and rear thereof adapted to ride on one rail of the track; sprocketwheels on the axles of said carrying-Wheels to each side thereof; sprocket-chains coupling the. wheels on each side; aratchetmea'ns suitably guided on each of said chains; a

lever on each sideof said frame; connections from each lever to the ratchets, for the purl pose specified.

4. Ina railroad-velocipede the combination of a frame: suitable wheels to carry and propel the same; a pair of actuating-wheels and suitable connections between the same asa chain f or equivalent; aratchet means to engagesaid iconnection and a suitable leverwith: connecition: to said ratchet means for the purpose 5. In a railroad-velocipede the combination 5 of the frame; suitable wheels to carry and 'propel the same a pair of actuating-wheels; asuitable connection: between the same as a ichain or equivalent; a ratchet means toengage said connection; and a suitable means of reciprocating said ratchet means; for the purpose specified.

6. In a railroad-velocipede the combination of a suitable frame; carrying and driving Wheels under the same; a pair of independent operating levers with hand and foot rests thereon; and independent connections from each lever to the driving-wheels comprising 10 ratchet devices for the purpose specified.

7. In a velocipede, the combination of a suitable frame; driving and carrying wheels under the same; a sprocket-chain connected by suitable gears to a driving-wheel; a tubular I5 slide carried, guided and supported by said chain; a ratchet-pawl on said slide to engage the chain; and a lever connected to said slide 

